Beginner book recommendation

I’m still a beginner and don’t have an extensive library, but here’s my list:

The Essential Bonsai Book by Jonas Dupuich
The Art of Bonsai Design by Colin Lewis
Principles of Bonsai Design by David DeGroot
Bonsai Heresy by Michael Hagedorn

And lots of photo books! I’m from the Northeast so I really like the bonsai and penjing photo book from the Montreal Botanical Garden. Look for show books for US National Exhibit, Pacific Bonsai Expo, Kokofu, Gafu-ten, etc

Others that I’m not sure are required reading but that I personally like:

Bonsai in the Wild by Nick Lenz
Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees (Dan Robinson) by Will Hiltz
 
Do you prefer one of these design books?

I have them both, I re-read the Colin Lewis more. The DeGroot has more design theory in more detailed explanation, but it is not as "easy" to read. The older I get the less I like to read. But that is just the hassle of getting proper bifocals.

Also, part of it is I took many a class, and weekend intensive with Colin Lewis, and "hear" his voice when I read his books.
 
Are there any books focused mostly on citrus other than that japanese book about persimon and kinzu mentioned on forums?
 
Are there any books focused mostly on citrus other than that japanese book about persimon and kinzu mentioned on forums?
There are no specific books on citrus bonsai that I know of. There are a few that cover citrus as flowering and fruiting bonsai though

Here’s one. I have it. It’s ok I guess. Fwiw what works for kinzu will likely apply to other citrus species

 
90d93234499f9b1b2b3fbd4f68ac.jpg "LEMONS ARE BLOSSOMING IN THE WINDOW" this covers indoor growing of lemon in my climate, should have it in few days, but its like 50 years old and not bonsai related..

seems citrus are not very popular, you can see excellent pictures from time to time but not a lot :(
 
Just read both books, (and few more.. and few articles)
Bountiful is ok, mentions some important things (like avocado pinching) but made me want more books about single species and growing in a pot as preparation for bonsai
Lemon book just confirmed things i learned on my lemon (and some things i saw in past on windowsills)

Seems i want kinzu even more, and "flying dragon" also but maybe next year i start looking for some cheap plants..
for now need books about punica granatum (managed to grow some seedlings) and Kanzan cherry, especially covering pot growing
What i can find covers growing in the field
 
I love books, during my "self taught" years of bonsai, they were my main source of information. But books have their limits, it is difficult to teach a spatial, sculptural art form, from a two dimensional media. Linear text and flat photos do not transmit the three dimensional aspect of bonsai as a sculpture related art form, and text does little to effectively relate how time is needed, and used to create these sculptural works of art. This is the reason I highly recommend, when possible, finding a teacher, or attending in person workshops, join a bonsai club, attend bonsai shows, and otherwise get hands on experience with seeing trees, and being taught how to do the techniques. Nothing beats "live, in person instruction". I understand it is not always possible, or easy, but at least occasionally get to bonsai shows, and attend at least a few workshops. If you can.

The tree species you are interested in are common enough that their horticulture is not difficult. There are tricks to learn about every species, but the general "flowering bonsai techniques" can be applied to all citrus, pomegranates, and flowering cherries, if one makes the adjustments needed for their specific needs. This is the reason that these species are a paragraph or two mention in various bonsai books, but are not the sole subject of individual bonsai books. There are very few species specific techniques for these species that are not used pretty generally across a wide number of species.

Citrus, generally are subtropical, with only a few species or varieties being tolerant of temperatures colder than a light frost. The kumquats, (Fortunella) might tolerate a little more cold in winter, but if your tree is well developed it is safer to keep it above freezing in winter rather than risk frost damage.

Poncirus trifoliata, aka Citrus trifoliata is fully winter hardy through zone 6 in the ground. In a pot it may need some protection in winter from zone 6 cold. Fruit of Poncirus is inedible, though with generous amounts of sugar, books says the juice makes a passable "lemonade", I have not tried it. My plant was a thorny beast, drew blood every time I tried to work on it, I was happy to get rid of it.

All citrus have a tendency to send branches upright, very straight, and very rigid even after only a few months. This tendency needs to be taken into account when used as bonsai. Yearly hard pruning to shorten long straight branches (as in clip and grow) or apply wire early and reapply often to get movement into the tree is crucial. Branches take several years to develop bark, they will be green until they do bark up. Scarring from wiring is possible, likely, if one leaves wire on too long. Flowers on previous summers growth. Let grow out if you want flowers and fruit.

For all the species you mention there is a gold mine of information on this website. It will take some time to dig, and read, but it is here. I know I did a multi-paragraph essay on my pomegranate several years ago. It is somewhere in the BNut threads

Sorry that books on the species you listed don't seem to exist. The information is available, just have to dig a bit.
 
My plant was a thorny beast
I like those thorns..main reason why i fell in for that plant.
This is actually my first season when i try growing plants on my balcony (im indoor grower) and will be my 1st overwintering when my flowering cherry finally arives (also 1st contact with that tree - i saw them in the ground near me so i should be able keep cherry alive)
I love books
im addicted to books
there is a gold mine of information on this website.
digging ;) my watcing list grows .. there is also active community of people practicing hre, other sites i checked mostly died
Nothing beats "live, in person instruction"
nothing in my range, got some allotment gardeners friends

BTW - If someone interested more in sakura

Japanese Flowering Cherries​

by Kuitert Wybe is available on researchgate and seems interesting
 
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